43. Xeraphine

43

Xeraphine

One week later

" A re you sure? Why can't you just keep working from home?" I'm not a needy person, but having Sydni here has been the peace I needed. She entertains the cat, along with Kairhyse when I'm burnt out of talking. Plus, she's where I can see her. I'm terrified of any retaliation against me finding its way to her.

She's got her bag, keys, and a stupid smile on her face, "Don't miss me too much, I swapped to the day shift, what else do you want?" I can't believe she just said that to me. Did my question not clarify what I want?

"For you to work from home… indefinitely. Or at least until things are—"

"See ya!"

This bitch.

She turns from me and strolls out of the apartment. My mouth widens as she blows me a kiss before the door shuts. I'm reaching for my phone to send a text filled with every cuss word in the book when strong arms wrap around my waist and hoist me up. "Hey!" I shout, slapping at Kairhyse's arm that has me hooked. "What are you doing?!"

"Time to make you scream." He nibbles on my neck, and I release a needy moan. "We've not been alone for so long, and I'm tired of holding back."

He flips me and throws me over his shoulder, "You've been holding back?!" I don't think I've ever been terrified before of sex, but I may be now. With a swat of my ass, he just laughs and carts me off upstairs.

Okay, he was holding back, and he was right, those restraints did hold. I definitely tried to get out of them, holy fuck, my Amoro is so happy. The nap I just groggily woke from was absolutely needed. When I step into the bathroom, I'm surprised to find a black gown hanging from the mirror. There are no shoes, but a beautiful pearl necklace, right beside a piece of paper.

Just wear the dress, Xera, I sense your defiance already. If you don't wear the pearls, fine, either way, tonight ends with some sort of necklace around that delectable neck.

I bite my lip and don't fight the smile that comes over me. So stupid, but I do like it. The dress, and his words.

After taking a piss, shaving both my kitten and legs, and brushing my teeth, I slip the dress on.

It's, of course, basically another layer of skin, it's so damn tight. I opt for no bra, the plunge down my breasts, exposing their curve and ever so slight droop. I did put a thong on, but I did it on purpose. The string against my hips showing through the dress, and I know it will drive him crazy all night. I'll keep him out longer than he wants to tease him and make him suffer. Though, knowing him, he'll just hoist me over his shoulder, take me to the nearest restroom, and fuck me crazy for testing his patience.

With that wet dream of a thought, I brush up my lashes, put Chapstick on, and head downstairs.

I'm completely taken by surprise at what I see. I thought he would be taking me out, but no, the entire apartment is bathed in scents of roses and cinnamon. The candlelight is the only lighting, along with the fireplace, which has black flowers of all kinds spread across it. My heart is in my throat, and I'm fucking scared.

"Kai?" I don't see him, but as I take the first step, he appears with two wine glasses in his hand, in the other, a bottle of what looks to be an expensive vino. "I'm going to ask you something, and I'm watching to make sure you won't lie." I focus on his aura, which is calm and excited, no hint of nervousness. "You don't have a fucking ring do you? Because that… I'll take your dick off. I know it'll grow back, but you'll suffer for weeks without it."

He throws his head back and barks out a laugh, "Oh, my little demon." His toothy grin makes my stomach tighten, fuck he looks so good. "No, no ring. Not tonight." A wink accompanies his head gesturing for me to come down to him. "Come on, you look absolutely devastating in that dress, and I would like to admire you closer." I do feel better, because he is telling me the truth, so I do as he asks and make my way to him.

"I knew you'd make those pearls shine," he praises.

"Stop…" I really don't want him to, but pretending I hate it feels better than thanking him.

He is wearing a white button-up with the first two buttons undone. It's tucked into his light gray pants, a brown belt wrapped in its loops, tailored perfectly for him. I don't know why, but I'm shocked he has socks on. Not sure why I noticed that, but it's cute for whatever reason.

When I'm stepping off the last stair, he wraps his arm around my neck. "Happy birthday, Xera."

My eyes widen, "What? "

"Well, technically it's in…" He turns his wrist over, which pulls me slightly closer to him, "Three hours, but I can be a little early. It's your birthday somewhere in the world." His cheeky grin makes me smile sheepishly.

I place one hand onto his stomach, and then the other I wrap around his back. "I didn't even realize what day it was. I'd ask how you know that, but you are a stalker."

He chuckles, that low rumbling one that vibrates his throat, and I know these panties won't last long. "Or, you know, your best friend told me." When he presses his lips to mine, he holds me there. My stomach filling with butterflies for the first time in, I think, forever. I like this.

After he finally releases the kiss, he pulls me into the living room where he has set up some fruits and cheeses. A few pillows for us to sit on and a blanket that is spread across it. It's warm, so I doubt that we will be curling up under it, maybe it's to keep the mess from spreading across the floor. Heat blooms across my face at the thought of what he'll do to me in front of the fire.

"I don't really know what you like," he confesses, and steps away from me to sit down the wine glasses to pop the cork. "Neither does Sydni."

"I don't really—"

"No," he cuts me off. "I don't want to hear you don't like anything. There is something you like in there, and I'm determined to figure it out." Pouring the wine into the glass, he hands me one and lifts his, "To you, little demon."

I roll my eyes, but smile, "Thank you, Kai. To a wonderful night." We settle beside one another, and he hums while I take a slice of mango and eat it.

"Where to start…"

"Can I?" When he looks at me, I take a sip, "Maybe learning about you will help… loosen me up." I give him a playful wink.

"Sure, anything you want. Tonight is your night. "

I can't help but bite my lip and look down at my glass. This feels so strange, but I don't hate it. "How old were you when you were turned?" Suppose that is an easy one to start off with.

"Thirty-two, freshly."

"Unwilling, I take it by the way you reacted to my comment about your creator before." I aimlessly grab something from the board in front of me, a cubed piece of cheese, and quickly plop it into my mouth.

"Correct. Like I said, I don't hate immortality, and I've come to terms with what I am. How and why I'm here doesn't matter." He takes a sip of his wine, and I nod. "You said you were in the foster system, right?" Another nod confirms his question, and he continues, "Why?"

"The woman that birthed me, Tali, placed me into it when I was six. I'm not sure why, really. According to the court documents, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and has anger issues, violent tendencies, so it was likely for my own good." I can see him edging to make a joke, but he stifles it, which I'm thankful for. The last thing I need to be is compared to that woman. "She tried to kill me when I was fourteen. Because of that, she ended up in Eldritch and has been there since she was found guilty of attempted murder."

"Shit." He places his nearly empty glass onto the coffee table. "Why would she try to do that? Was she not aware of what you could be?"

I shrug my shoulders, "Because she's crazy, but no, I showed no signs of being anything other than Mundane. My father was the Incubus, and she wasn't even sure I was his. With him being ‘dead' – as far as ‘dead' could be, I couldn't just go ask him."

"Do you know what happened to him?"

"Tali said he angered the wrong people, and was sunk to the bottom of the sea to die for eternity." His eyes widen, but I am indifferent. I didn't know him at all, and could care less. "She said she tried to find him, but something tells me she didn't look too hard. "

"I'm sorry."

I grimace, "It is what it is." I take a sip. "Let's move to another topic."

He nods, "Have you ever been to a movie theater?"

I nearly spit my wine out, "That was quick." I wipe my thumb against my lip, letting out a soft laugh. He reaches across and brushes the back of his hand against my cheek, "Yes, of course I have."

"To enjoy a movie, little demon, not to spy on or kill someone."

"Oh," I laugh sheepishly, "then no, no I haven't."

He lifts his knee and props his elbow onto it, leaning into his palm, "So shocking." The sarcasm in his tone makes me roll my eyes, but when my gaze returns to him, he's giving me a gentle smile.

I wonder if this is that fluttery feeling all girls rave about. The one that makes them swoon, because I feel lighter in these moments. As though nothing beyond the two of us, and the cat that is purring gently on the couch, exists.

Swallowing, I shift my gaze away, "Why do you have a tattoo of a scar over your eye?"

A soft hum comes from his lips, "I'll be returning to the movie theater comment later." He pauses, which prompts me to look back at him. "I got into a knife fight when I was a teen, and I missed the scar."

"Did you win at least?" I ask.

"No, unfortunately, lost it and my sight in this eye." He runs his hand down his right eye. "Obviously, when I became a Vampire, I regained my sight and the scar was gone. I got it as a reminder I lost more than just the fight… but also my little sister." He shifts his left arm and taps on one of the skulls. "This is her." Now that I look closer, I can see that it is smaller than the one that sits beside it. Before I can ask, he drags his finger to the other, "And this is the one for her killer."

I pull my eyebrows together, "Why are they next to each other?"

He gives me a smile, "Because, it's a reminder even after getting my revenge… she is still gone. "

My lips press together to try and stifle the tremble. I try to take a breath, but it gets stuck in my throat.

"Funny how coincidental my tattoos are to your life."

I swallow, "Yeah…"

"Speaking of," he tilts his head, "I lied to you."

There is no doubt he can hear how rapid my heart is beating. "Oh? Another lie, huh?" I try to make my tone as playful as I can. The nerves running through me feel lethal.

I do not like this feeling.

"I don't think anything with us is coincidental, Xera. I do believe in fate."

Oh my Gods. Please don't… don't ruin this…

"I don't know what everything means, and don't worry, I said I didn't have a ring and I don't." His sheepish laugh makes my eyes widen while holding my breath. "It's fucking weird to even have to be this cautious about a stupid word, but you are so—"

"Kai, don't."

"See? What is it with you and that word—"

"You don't understand what it means. Don't use a word you have no clue about." Sensations akin to ants traversing my skin prompt me to fold my arms tightly around my waist as I feel myself pulling away. "Just drop it, please."

"Tell me why," he presses. "I'm no coward, Xera, but I feel like I am forced to be with how I feel."

"Shut—UP!" I'm so forceful I see him waver, "Don't ruin this! Not over a stupid fucking word that no one understands!"

"Maybe it's you that doesn't understand it." I'm shaking my head while he narrows his eyes at me. "Tell me why."

I do not want to have this conversation. Not right now. I was so happy just moments ago and now I feel trapped. That word, those three fucking words, are the worst things to ever be put together.

"Because it is always a lie. Always. "

His mouth opens and I cover my eyes with my hands, tucking my head down and shielding myself. "Don't! If you say those words Kai, I will fucking leave and I will never come back!"

I feel his hands grab gently at my shoulder, "They wouldn't be a lie."

"There is a part of you that will not feel that way. Even if small. You may not even recognize it, but I will see it!"

"Look at me, Xera."

"No!" I shove him back so hard that he falls against the glass coffee table. I'm up on my feet, stepping away, my eyes shut. "You're ruining this... I like you, Kai, I do!" My body vibrates with fear. "I just can't do that. I can't hear you say that. Please don't make me run… please…"

When I hear his footsteps I fight the urge to retreat, and I'm glad that I do. His arms are around my head, holding me tight. "You know I'd chase you…" One of his hands brushes down my hair, "But it's your birthday." I remove my hands from my face and wrap them around his back. "Whatever you want."

He leans down and kisses my temple. I'm being irrational, I know I am.

"Thank you," I whisper, and lift my head.

I can see in his expression he is hurt by my reaction, the gentle pull between his brow and half-smile. "I'm—" I don't get the apology out because I hear buzzing.

His phone is vibrating in his pocket, and I'm thankful for the distraction. We can center ourselves with it. At first, he doesn't go for it, but I give him a nod, and he releases me with one arm and pulls it out.

"Hey, butterfly." Interesting that she'd call him. Oh, wait—where is my phone? "She probably left it upstairs." He gives me a disappointed look and places his hand behind my neck. "Uh oh…" I can't quite hear her, but it doesn't sound like anything terrible or she'd be screaming.

"Hmm." He looks between my eyes, as though reading me. "Yeah, give me twenty, could use the fresh air. "

After a moment, he hangs up the phone and tucks it back into his pants. "Looks like Tyson's car won't start."

"Why does she have—"

"He let her borrow it, it was all part of the birthday surprise." He draws the back of his fingers down my cheek.

"Oh… you know, I did tell him it sounded weird last time I was in it," I scold. "Fresh air?"

"I think we both could use a moment." He brushes aside my hair, pulling it behind my ear. I smile weakly and nod. He's right, I absolutely could use a moment to myself.

"I'm going to take her over to Tyson's, which was the plan so I could have my little demon all to myself. I'll be back within the hour, okay?"

I hope I didn't just ruin our night…

"Yeah, sure. I'll be here."

"Promise?" His hands come to the sides of my neck while he leans closer, "Don't run."

"I won't. I'll be here."

"You can run another time," he jokes, and I'm glad that he does. "But this dress is beautiful on you and I want to take it off slowly." He brushes a fleeting kiss across my lips.

I take a shaky breath, "Can't wait."